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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have an 8-year-old who will be a rising 3rd grader.  I sent them to Appel Farm last summer, and they had a great time, even though the classes they'd signed up for didn't have availability for them, and they had to do completely different, unplanned things. This year I'm hoping for something more structured, that would offer great classes (or supervised studio time) in the visual arts, with elective options for other things. My child has exceptional arts skills (strong technique, finished pieces look comparable to middle schoolers), so I'm hoping for solid technical instruction, not just craft-of-the-day stuff.

My kid is extroverted, socially adept, and very independent, so [b]I'm not too worried about close supervision.[/b] Their primary interest is visual arts, but performing arts is also of interest (especially opportunities to play keyboards in a rock band). Dungeons & Dragons is a big deal, and nerdy kids a huge plus. STEAM offerings, not just pure arts, would be a big bonus.

A lot of arts camps present themselves as general arts camps, but are really performing arts focused, and it's hard to tell how genuinely good the offerings are outside the performing arts.

French Woods, for instance, seems to have a fantastic selection of things, but how good are they outside of the theater offerings that they are renowned for?

Interlochen is renowned for music, and the visual arts are excellent in the high school, but how are the camp offerings in the visual arts for the younger kids?

Ballibay seems to have lots of different offerings, but they're sort of vague about what's available in visual arts; [b]is there some guidance for the studio time for the younger kids, so my kid doesn't spend their time hanging out in the studio just doodling[/b] like they would at home? (That's fine, but I  don't have to spend $4,000 for them to do that.)

Any feedback on these specific camps, or any other sleepaway arts camps in the United States? Preference for within 4-hour drive of DC, but flying is an option. Session length of 3 weeks or less. I'm hoping for a visual arts experience that they can't get locally. Mixed-age classes strongly preferred, with age-based cabin groupings.[/quote]

Your challenge is that these two are somewhat in conflict. If you prefer less supervision, you run the risk that your child will float around at camp and not engage in the way you wish they would. (We've been there.) Buck's Rock offers very little supervision but has an exceptional visual arts program. Ballibay has somewhat more supervision, and shorter session offerings, but isn't quite as strong in visual arts. It is known for its rock band program. Both of these are less competitive camps, while some of the others, like French Woods and Interlochen, tend to be more competitive, though maybe less so for younger kids. It really depends what you're looking for. Good luck![/quote]

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